2/11/06
HERVEY BAY
Fishing has been still quite dormant at the moment, although there are some good reports of catches around the traps.

Off the rocks at Gatakers Bay, late evening has been producing some great light reef species such as your grass sweetlip and blackall. But the real fun has been a few good Jew caught off the rocky outcrops that are exposed on the half tide. Working the tide on the way up with live baits has been producing some great catches.

The mackerel are still around with some absolute horses in amongst the schools. Best places are still around a lot of the beacons, but also it’s worth a troll off from moon heading up to Coongul Creek. Producer Lures and Rapala CD-14’s are working well.

The river systems are giving up some mighty big crabs at the moment. One report tells us of a crab weighing in at 1.9kg with the Maltese cross on the underside. What’s a Maltese cross you say? There are two highly prized crabs to look out for. Look at the underside; if it is a rusty brown colour you have what is known in the trade as a ”ginger buck”. He is full of meat. There is one more that is rarely caught. Again look on the underside, as well as being the ginger colour you may see a distinct “Maltese Cross” where the flap meets the body. This crab is within a couple of weeks of moulting – and can’t be any fuller.

FRASER ISLAND
C/- Fraser Beachfront Holidays at Pyungan Rocks Ph: 4127 9440
The north westerly wind that came up last Saturday has brought the weed in again, and it is pushing the fish north. It is slowly starting to clear and the bottom end deep gutters are producing the usual suspects – (tailor, flathead, and dart).

Tailor are still getting caught in the clear gutters north of the Maheno to Indian Head, with Jew getting caught at night.

The tracks are absolutely terrible at the moment. The guys over there are praying for rain to firm them up. They say great care is needed and make sure your tyres are let down to the correct pressures.